Hugh enlisted in the Corps. of Royal Engineers and his attestation was given in Burnley on 30 October 1913. His age is given as 25 years 146 days and his occupation is a ‘fitter’ at a foundry.

He had a medical examination in Burnley, Lancashire on 27 October 1913. His height is given as 5 feet 7 inches and his weight was 130lbs. Hugh’s religious denomination is shown as Roman Catholic.

Hugh’s military service was very short. He was discharged on 27 January 1914 after serving only 90 days.

His discharge was under Kings Regulation 392 (v). This regulation allows someone to claim their discharge upon a payment £10 within three months of their attestation.

Of course I can never know the reasons for this sequence of events. However I offer a possible scenario.

Hugh’s father, Smith Buckley, died in July 1913 – he was buried at Utley Cemetery, Keighley, on 9 July. Just over three months later Hugh joins the army. Less than three months afterwards he buys his discharge.

Hugh was the youngest of at least seven children. I wonder if joining the army was a rash decision after the death of his father and then seen as a mistake. Perhaps he was needed at home to take of his widowed mother.

Whatever the reasons I imagine this must have been a difficult time for the family.